The United States has launched a new inter-agency task force to tackle birth tourism, with the government revoking more than 600 visas in its first round of action.

The Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force was announced by the US Department of State under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of efforts to stop foreigners from travelling to the country primarily to give birth and obtain US citizenship for their children.

The development followed two executive orders signed by Trump directing federal agencies to deny visas, revoke travel authorisation and deport foreign nationals who enter the US for the purpose of giving birth.

The Department of State said the initiative was aimed at protecting the integrity of US citizenship and ensuring that non-immigrant visas were used for their intended purposes.

The task force will operate globally and review visa and travel histories to identify cases of suspected birth tourism. It will also revoke visas where individuals are found to have misrepresented the purpose of their travel and target networks accused of facilitating the practice.

The department warned that foreigners who deliberately misrepresent the purpose of their trip or entry into the US could become permanently ineligible for a US visa or admission into the country.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of US citizenship.

“Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of US immigration laws.

“The Department of State is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the US immigration system,” the department said.

Officials explained that visas may be revoked when there are indications that the holder is no longer eligible, adding that the Secretary of State has broad authority to take such action.

The department said the task force was examining travel records worldwide to identify individuals and networks involved in birth tourism.

“Thanks to the coordination of the Task Force, the Department of State is addressing birth tourism on a global scale, examining travel histories of individuals from all around the world in order to end this exploitation and abuse,” the Fact Sheet stated.

Consular officers at US embassies and consulates, including those in Abuja and Lagos, have also been directed to pay closer attention to visa applications containing signs that an applicant intends to travel to the US to give birth.

The State Department described birth tourism as a commercial industry involving organised networks that market childbirth-related services to prospective parents.

It said some facilitators operate under labels such as doulas, midwives and wellness advocates while advertising packages that include visa assistance, accommodation and hospital arrangements.

The department also alleged that some operators provide false medical documents or coach clients on how to conceal their real travel intentions and avoid hospital bills.

It said online advertisements promote packages that promise “automatic citizenship and a future without borders.”

“The facts are clear – birth tourism is a pervasive practice that involves nationals from countries spanning every region of the globe.

“The Department is taking action to dismantle these networks and hold all participants accountable,” the statement added.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs cited several cases which it said showed how applicants had allegedly concealed their real purpose for travelling to the US.

In one case, a couple reportedly used a conference and holiday as a cover for travelling to the US, where they gave birth to two children. When they later applied for visas again, they allegedly concealed their previous travel history and the fact that they already had a child born in the US. Their visas were subsequently revoked.

In another case, a foreign government official applied for a one-week official trip but remained in the US for three months and gave birth before leaving the country. Her visa was also revoked.

A third traveller reportedly applied for a visa to visit Orlando, Florida, but travelled instead to Los Angeles and gave birth five days after arriving in the US. Her visa was also revoked.

The Department of State said the task force would continue analysing data from the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to identify patterns and networks linked to birth tourism.

It added that the task force would work with US embassies and consulates to train consular officers to identify possible misrepresentation during visa interviews. (Nigerian Tribune)

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